Total Wireless expands Total Spark, bringing workforce development and FIFA World Cup 2026™ ticket giveaways to five cities

At a glance

• Program expansion: Entering its second year, the “Total Spark” social impact program for working students is expanding to five total cities. The program will debut in Philadelphia, PA, Compton, CA, and Newark, NJ, alongside returning markets Chicago, IL and Dallas, TX.
• FIFA World Cup 2026™ ticket giveaway sweepstakes: As the Official Prepaid Wireless Sponsor of FIFA World Cup 2026™, Total Wireless is introducing a ticket giveaway sweepstakes at the first event in 4 of the 5 cities. Additionally, they are offering Lyft ride credits to help students attend the events and a $50 service credit for new activations.
• Dedicated nonprofit funding: In partnership with Empower Work, Total Wireless has selected one local nonprofit grantee per city. Each organization will receive a $100,000 grant and will host 3 community workforce development events (such as resume workshops and career coaching) inside local Total Wireless retail stores between June and September.

Total Wireless, a leading provider of premium, affordable and flexible wireless plans covered by the Verizon 5G network, today announces the expansion of Total Spark, its social impact program dedicated to supporting working students across the country.

Building on a successful inaugural year, Total Spark is growing to five cities—adding Philadelphia, PA; Compton, CA; and Newark, NJ to returning markets in Chicago, IL and Dallas, TX. In each city, Total Wireless is partnering with a local nonprofit organization, selected in partnership with Empower Work, to host workforce development events inside Total Wireless retail stores throughout the summer and fall.

“We are meeting working students where they are, both by providing the resources they need to be successful in work, school and life and physically by hosting these events in Total Wireless stores in their neighborhoods,” said Donna Epps, Chief Responsible Business Officer for Verizon. “As we enter year two of Total Spark, we’re expanding our footprint to reach more working students and adding components that help them access the support they need.”

Building on year one success

The positive results from 2025 were undeniable: Across 14 retail store events in three cities, Total Spark connected nearly 300 working students with the resources and support they needed to get ahead, with 91% of attendees saying they’d return.

Beyond the numbers, Total Spark redefined what it means to keep a community connected. Working students came in for resume workshops, job placement support and career coaching, and left better equipped to take the next step in their careers. For Total Wireless, it was proof that investing in communities and investing in the business are one in the same.

“Total Spark is about showing up for our customers in meaningful ways, beyond the plans and devices we offer,” said David Kim, President of Verizon Value. “By investing in real resources and community connection, we are delivering on what Total Wireless stands for: affordable connectivity and real investment in the people who rely on it.”

Continuing credits

Offered in 2025 and back for 2026, attendees who activate a new line of service on the day of the event can save $50 on their first month. The offer applies to new customers on the Total 5G Unlimited ($55/month) and Total 5G Unlimited+ ($65/month) plans and is available exclusively at Total Spark retail store events.

What’s new in 2026

This year, Total Spark is expanding its reach and deepening its impact with several new additions to the program:

• FIFA World Cup 2026™ ticket giveaways: As the Official Prepaid Wireless Sponsor of FIFA World Cup 2026™, Total Wireless will offer a sweepstakes for FIFA World Cup 2026™ tickets at the first Total Spark event in four of the five cities.
• Lyft ride credits: To remove a barrier to attendance for working students, Lyft will provide ride codes as a solution through their Lyft Up Jobs Access program to cover rides to every Total Spark event in all 5 cities. In each of the five cities, attendees will be able to use a short claimable code that provides credits to cover rides to and from the Total Wireless store locations on event days. The credits will be geofenced to/from store locations only and valid during the Total Spark program duration (events will run from June-September).
• Five new nonprofit partners: In partnership with Empower Work, a national nonprofit dedicated to supporting people’s economic mobility, emotional well-being, and career success, Total Wireless has selected one nonprofit grantee per city to receive a $100,000 grant and host three workforce development events inside local Total Wireless stores.

“Working students carry our communities today while investing in tomorrow—they deserve strong support every step of the way,” Jaime-Alexis Fowler, Founder and CEO at Empower Work said. “Partnering with Total Wireless on Total Spark allows us to bring trusted local nonprofits and critical career resources directly to the people who need them most, and we’re proud to help make that happen in five cities this year.”

Mark your calendar

Each event includes workforce development programming designed by the local nonprofit partner, career resources tailored to the community and employer networking opportunities.

• Newark, NJ | June 4, August 13 & September 15: Kicking off the 2026 season, the Newark edition of Total Spark partners with Goodwill NYNJ to connect working students with career resources and employer networks across three retail store events. (FIFA World Cup 2026™ ticket giveaway—New York New Jersey match, July 5).
• Philadelphia, PA | June 9, August 11 & September 10: Philadelphia joins Total Spark for the first time with the Temple University’s Lenfest Center for Community Workforce Partnerships leading three community workforce events inside local Total Wireless stores, kicking off with a resource fair. (FIFA World Cup 2026™ ticket giveaway—Philadelphia, PA match, June 27).
• Dallas, TX | June 16, August 18 & September 17: The Dallas market returns from its successful 2025 run, now partnering with the Wilkinson Center to host three workforce development events at local Total Wireless stores. (FIFA World Cup 2026™ ticket giveaway—Dallas, TX match, July 6).
• Compton, CA | June 18, August 25 & September 22: Total Spark heads to Southern California for the first time, teaming up with the LA Conservation Corps to bring hands-on job placement support and career resources to working students inside Compton-area Total Wireless stores. (FIFA World Cup 2026™ giveaway—Los Angeles, CA match, July 10).
• Chicago, IL | June 23, July 14, August 6 and September 24: The Chicago leg of Total Spark returns from year one, bringing workforce development events back to local Total Wireless retail stores in partnership with Goodwill Greater Milwaukee & Chicago.

For more information on Total Spark including event details and participating Total Wireless store locations, visit totalwireless.com/total-spark.

About Total Wireless

Total Wireless is a fast-growing, no-contract wireless provider covered by the Verizon 5G network, with nearly 2,000 exclusive stores across the country, and counting. On a mission to raise the bar in prepaid wireless, Total Wireless disrupts the status quo by offering more value than any other no-contract provider. Total Wireless offers plans with unlimited data and access to Verizon’s 5G Ultra-Wideband network, prices guaranteed for five years (taxes and fees included), select free 5G phones with qualifying purchase plans, and more. Total Wireless strengthens its commitment to local communities through the Total Spark program, empowering local nonprofits with grants to support working students.

Total Wireless is part of the Verizon Value portfolio of prepaid brands, which includes Straight Talk, Visible, Tracfone, Simple Mobile, SafeLink, Walmart Family Mobile, and Verizon Prepaid. Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) is one of the world’s leading providers of technology, communications, information and entertainment products and services.

For more information on Total Wireless, visit one of its exclusive storefronts across the country, or check out totalwireless.com.